The digital age has revolutionized healthcare, making services more accessible and convenient. Hers, a platform under the Hims & Hers Health umbrella, has emerged as a notable player in telemedicine, initially gaining popularity for its hair loss solutions and expanding into sexual health, mental health, and now, weight loss. This article delves into Hers' weight loss program, examining its offerings, the medications it provides, customer reviews, and overall value.
Hers Weight Loss Program: An Overview
Hers distinguishes itself by offering affordable and accessible weight loss solutions through generic oral medications, diverging from the popular trend of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) injections like semaglutide. The program emphasizes a holistic approach, integrating sustainable nutrition, lifestyle adjustments, and clinically backed medications to reduce appetite. This comprehensive strategy aims to provide long-term health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers for individuals with overweight or obesity.
What Hers Offers for Weight Loss
The Hers weight loss program primarily offers four key components:
- Prescription Medications: Hers prescribes metformin, topiramate, and naltrexone with bupropion for weight loss.
- Vitamin B12: An essential nutrient included to prevent deficiencies while taking metformin, crucial for fat metabolism.
- Educational Content: Hers provides educational content designed for sustainable weight loss. The content includes nutritional guidance, recipes, mental health information, exercise recommendations, and sleep advice.
- Digital Tracking Tools: For motivation and to inform the next steps on your path to weight loss, Hers provides in-app progress tracking.
Medications Offered by Hers
Hers utilizes several medications in its weight loss program, each with its unique mechanism of action:
- Metformin: Primarily an anti-diabetic medication approved by the FDA for treating type 2 diabetes, metformin can be prescribed off-label for weight loss. It reduces glucose production in the liver and influences hormones affecting appetite, potentially leading to weight loss. While Ozempic may produce more weight loss, metformin is an oral pill, while Ozempic is a once-weekly injection.
- Topiramate: An anti-epileptic drug FDA-approved for epilepsy and migraine treatment, topiramate is believed to suppress appetite, reduce fat gain, and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thus aiding in weight loss.
- Naltrexone & Bupropion (Contrave): This combination medication, consisting of naltrexone (used for alcohol use disorder and opioid dependence) and bupropion (an antidepressant), is FDA-approved for weight loss and may work by regulating appetite.
- Vitamin B12: Crucial to fat metabolism, individuals with vitamin B12 deficiency are at an increased risk of experiencing overweight or obesity. While vitamin B12 hasn’t been proven to directly cause weight loss, taken daily (2.4mcg) it can prevent vitamin B12 deficiencies while taking metformin.
It's important to note that Hers does not currently prescribe Ozempic or any other GLP-1 agonist for weight loss, focusing instead on more affordable generic options.
Read also: Does Hers Weight Loss Work?
How Hers Works
The Hers weight loss program is designed to be convenient and accessible:
- Online Intake Form: Individuals start by completing an online form that gathers information about their weight loss goals, medical history, and personal history with weight loss.
- Physician Review: One of Hers’ physicians will review the form to determine the best treatment for the individual.
- Customized Plan: If appropriate, they’ll create a customized holistic weight loss plan, with or without medications.
- Medication Delivery: Once a prescription is received (if appropriate), Hers can ship medications directly to the individual's doorstep in discreet packaging, for free.
- Ongoing Support: Hers provides continuous support from clinicians for easy plan adjustments and answers to all of your questions.
Hers doesn’t require blood testing to receive an online prescription for weight loss medications.
Hers Weight Loss vs. Competitors
When comparing Hers to other weight loss programs, several distinctions emerge:
- Hers vs. Found: Found offers a broader range of weight loss medications, including GLP-1 inhibitors and zonisamide.
- Hers vs. PlushCare: PlushCare offers GLP-1 inhibitors, naltrexone/bupropion, and xenical for weight loss. Hers offers a broader range of affordable, off-label medications. PlushCare also lacks nutrition and health resources, which are available through the Hers app.
- Hers vs. Zealthy: Zealthy offers GLP-1 inhibitors and metformin for weight loss, compared to Hers’ range of off-label weight loss meds. Medications aren’t included in Zealthy’s monthly membership fee, which is $49 for a limited time, then $134 for each subsequent month. This makes Hers more affordable for those paying out of pocket, although Zealthy takes insurance, unlike Hers.
Hers stands out for its affordability, clinician support, and holistic approach.
Pricing and Accessibility
With a flat monthly fee that includes the cost of medication, Hers is one of the most cost-effective options available. Hers prioritizes affordability and accessibility by offering generic forms of accessible weight loss meds.
Read also: Weight Loss Meds & BCBS
Hers lists the following prices for FDA-approved GLP-1 injections: Ozempic: $1,799 per month; Wegovy: $1,350 per month; Mounjaro: $1,899 per month; Zepbound: $1,899 per month; Generic liraglutide: from $299 per month. Hers also offers compounded GLP-1 drugs at a lower cost. However, these drugs are not FDA-approved and come with significant health risks concerning safety, effectiveness, and quality.
Through Hers you can get GLP-1 injections for as little as $199 a month with a 12-month plan paid upfront in full. The oral medication kits start at just $69 a month with a 10-month plan paid upfront in full. Total pricing varies at checkout.
Hers does not accept medical insurance or HSA/FSA payments, meaning all products and services are paid out-of-pocket. However, if you opt to have a Hers doctor send your prescription to a local pharmacy, insurance may cover the cost of the medication.
Hers Medication Kits: Personalized Treatment
As part of a treatment plan, individuals can get a custom oral medication kit if a provider determines it’s right for them and their weight loss goals. If prescribed, a licensed provider will give instructions for how to take the Medication Kit. These medications are taken orally either daily or twice daily (no injections necessary), depending on individual goals. Some common side effects of Medication Kits include nausea, anxiety, diarrhea, and drowsiness. To help the body adjust, a fast-acting anti-nausea medication is included with treatment at no extra cost, if eligible.
A state-licensed provider reviews the health history, weight loss goals, and unique patient needs of every individual patient to see if they qualify before prescribing any kind of treatment.
Read also: A guide to Mercy Care and weight loss medications.
Hers offers personalized medication kits that can include a combination of bupropion, metformin, topiramate, vitamin B12, and naltrexone. teamThese medication combinations can make it easier to develop healthy habits for long-term weight loss.
Customer Reviews and Feedback
Online reviews of Hers’ weight loss service are mixed. While some users say that the service is convenient and offers a good level of personalization and support, more negative reviews claim customer service can be lacking, and some customers did not experience significant weight loss results on the program.
Most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Customers appreciate the responsiveness and helpfulness of the medical team, with some specifically mentioning the ease of communication and quick answers to their questions. A few reviewers also value the convenience of the app and the informative content available, while others highlight the speed of the approval process and medication delivery. However, there are mixed opinions regarding the effectiveness of the products and treatments. Some people report positive changes in their weight, energy levels, and overall well-being, while others express disappointment with the lack of noticeable results or the presence of side effects such as nausea and fatigue. A few reviewers also mention concerns about the dosage and the need for more personalized guidance and follow-up from healthcare providers.
Success Stories
Many customers have shared positive experiences with Hers, highlighting significant weight loss and improved health:
- One customer lost 70 lbs in 8 months, citing personalized care and a provider who took their concerns seriously.
- Another customer lost 17 lbs in 3 months in preparation for their wedding, noting the simplicity of signing up and the catalyst for feeling healthy.
- Several customers have reported losses of over 50 lbs within 6-12 months, attributing their success to Hers' comprehensive approach.
- One working mom lost 31 lbs in 12 months using the Oral Medication Kit, avoiding injections.
- Another customer with a family history of Type 2 diabetes accessed treatment through Hers after their insurance didn't cover Ozempic, expressing satisfaction with the results.
Potential Side Effects and Considerations
It’s common to experience some side effects like nausea and upset stomach as your body adjusts to the medication. They're usually temporary and are easier to manage when you know what to do. The platform offers free step-by-step guides made by weight loss experts in the Hers app, 24/7 messaging with a licensed provider at no extra cost, and personalized dosage and medication adjustments as needed by licensed provider. To help your body adjust, a fast-acting anti-nausea medication is included with treatment at no extra cost, if eligible.
It’s important to note that not all medical questions and concerns can be addressed through Hers’ online platform. Hers might not be able to meet all your needs or provide a suitable product for your specific concerns.
How to Get Started with Hers
Getting started with Hers is a streamlined process:
- Create a Profile: Set up your profile on the Hers platform, providing basic information about yourself and answering questions about your lifestyle, health, medical history, and current symptoms.
- Complete a Medical Questionnaire: Answer specific questions about your possible medical concern and symptoms.
- Get Your Treatment Plan: Once a Hers service professional has assessed your profile, they will advise you on a treatment plan.
The Importance of a Holistic Approach
Hers emphasizes a holistic approach to weight loss, recognizing that medication is just one piece of the puzzle. The program includes educational resources on nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes, as well as ongoing support and monitoring through its platform and app. This comprehensive approach aims to help individuals develop healthy habits for long-term weight loss.
Limitations and When to Seek In-Person Care
While Hers offers a convenient and accessible telehealth platform, it's essential to recognize its limitations. Telehealth services are useful for refilling or prescribing medications for conditions that a medical professional has already diagnosed. However, you may need to talk with a doctor in some cases, especially if they require a physical exam, blood test, or imaging test to make a diagnosis.
It may also be necessary to consult a doctor for complex medical conditions that require more intensive treatment. Additionally, if you find that your symptoms do not improve or worsen after using medications or supplements from Hers, you can talk with a doctor to determine whether other treatment options may be necessary or beneficial.